I will never clean my home again! (for the sake of all makind)

So I’ve thought this thru (for like a whole 15 minutes) and I have come to the conclusion that it doesn’t make sense for me to clean my home ever again. I’m sure some people may say that hiring a housekeeper to maintain a 700 sqft condo is lazy and ridiculous but hear me out for a second. Give me an objective read on this thought and save your opinions til the end.

Yesterday I met with my financial advisor and it made start looking at things from a more economical point of view. And with very aggressive financial goals for the next month, year and 5 years, I need to rethink my spending and earnings. So as I spend my Sunday cleaning up my war zone of a home, I had this ingenious thought (well it may not be that bright, but I am biased).

I am an entrepreneur. I set my own hours, I work a lot and many times charge my clients on an hourly rate. So very literally, time is money. So I said to myself, “Self”... (sitting in the thinking man pose as if I am finding the solution to world peace) “ Is the hassle of cleaning this wretched mess really worth my time?” So I laid out the facts; I am messy, I am not very good at cleaning, and I don't have much time to do it so I don't do it as often as I should.

So I figure if I make (undisclosed) dollars/ hour and I can pay some one around $10/hours (significantly less than my hourly rate), and I make certain I am doing work will my home is being cleaned..... You see where I am going with this... I am actually getting paid while my house is being cleaned! It will help me be productive because I know I have to work while my place is being cleaned in order to make this rationale work.

Now it’s time to blow you mind with the compound benefits of this idea. A housekeeper will probably clean better (well they damn well better since they are professionals and I suck at it) and faster. So in addition to making money while they clean, I am also gaining time. And that time can be used for down time which I usually have very little of. My girlfriend would really appreciate me taking her out more often and spending quality time. Her happy, means I’m happy! My house keeper will make more money that will make her/his (I am not sexist) family happy. It will allow him/her (still not sexist) and I to put more money into the national economy (taking my girlfriend out on dates, housekeeper buying extra shots at the bar). This will make the U.S. happy and in turn my President happy. So as you see, it is kind of my patriotic duty to never clean my home again! And with the U.S. being the superpower that it is, It’s happiness will filter down thru other countries. And in a way.... (wait for it) I may have just found the solution to world peace. I’d like to see someone dispute that! *drops mic and walks off with the George Jefferson strut*

Friendships 102-Letting go

There are different philosophies that I adopt and I am not always sure why. It always start with a line... A phrase that just sticks with me. I can’t always explain its meaning at first or its inception, but some part of it just resonated as “right” with me. So I hold on to it until it has a chance to develop and play out in my life.

My longest standing philosophy when dealing with people has been “See people for who they are. Then either chose to accept them in their entirety or let them go, but don’t expect them to change.” I never understand why people get mad at others for being themselves. So what your closest friend gossiped and lied about you to other people. When you met her, she was a gossip. It’s not a personal insult to you, it’s a character trait of hers that you [should have] accepted when you decided to make her your friend. Gossips, will gossip. It’s asinine to get angry with them for doing their job. If you can not handle your friends talking about you behind their back, then don’t make those types of people your friends. Sounds simple enough, but people do it all the time, in friendships, business partnerships and the worst of all, marriage!

This morning I was having a conversation with a friend and I revealed one of my newest unfounded philosophies. “SOME people are in your life for a season. Instead of worrying about holding on to them forever, spend the time they are in your life to enjoy them thoroughly”. Learn from them, grow with them, explore new things, new ideologies, sharpen each other. Although the initial thought of strong but temporary bonds of friendship sounds unnatural and wrong... there was something right about it that I couldn’t quite put my finger on.

After a highly unproductive day, I fell asleep at 6:00 pm. So now, at 1:30am I find myself awake, reading. And in my read, I finally understood the basis of my “people are in your life for a season” way of thinking. And I was able to tie it into “accept people in their entirety” philosphy in a very eye opening revelation.

A “friend” of mine has been exaggerating facts and volunteering false information about me to others. But when I found out, I was not upset. I was not surprised. I took on the position of “oh, that’s him, that’s just how he is”. I have accepted that side of him and was completely unfazed by it. I know he has a good heart, but like all humans, he has his flaws.

But then I battled with the options bringing it to his attention as a friend, explaining why that reflects bad on his character so he might consider addressing that trait, and just letting it go since there was no harm done and I felt strongly that he will never admit fault. Based on the years I have known him, I was convinced that even if he might hear me, he will get defensive, lie more and make excuses.

But tonight it hit me... So what if he has a good heart? Only fools can’t/won’t accept correction or constructive criticism. When did it become my goal to align my associations with foolish people? [fool is an biblical throwback word that hits pretty hard, so I apologize, but it’s a very accurate term so I retract my apology] And what does it say about my respect for this person’s integrity if I am not even surprised when they lie about me? Why do I have someone in my life that I can’t even expect to value my reputation, be truthful or listen to reproof? The fact that I am not angry is a reason. the fact that I an not surprised is a reason. The fact that I think a conversation about the issue would be pointless is a reason. All reasons to believe that this person’s season in my life is over. I have shared and gained everything I can get out of this friendship and the last leaf has fell from the tree. the seeds of knowledge I have gotten from this experience have already started forming new, stronger bonds. I can’t hold on to a dying stump.

The beautiful thing is that he will always be a part of me and have a place in my heart. I can move on with no animosity or regret. I am grateful for the benefit they have had in my life and I hope they can feel the same about my role in theirs. And without warning or conversation (rightfully or wrongly), I’m closing the chapter on a friendship, happily.

Heaven in a Lawnmower

I lay on my couch

resting my eyes from the staring contest I just lost with my mac book pro (Natasha)

Is that the sound of a lawnmower? On a Friday afternoon in the city?

Probably not... oh it's the road work crews

But Immediately I close my eyes and smile

Reminisce....

Saturday morning

laying in my adolescent bed, facing the window

The day greets me

Sounds of countless dogs barking (which became so familiar that is was as common as the sound of the wind)

The birds are having conversations

My father doing something in the yard (judging by the pace of his movements, he has been at it for a while)

The washing machine going, as my mother hanging clothes on the line

music echoing thru the neighborhood from other houses

and.....

the symphony of lawnmowers.

I keep my eyes closed for a bit to take everything in

Finally opening my eyes to peek thru the aluminum shutters being blinded by what is seemingly the brightest day of anywhere on earth.

The constant warm tradewinds blow thru the curtains and passes over me.

I breathe the deepest breathe that I will take the entire day.

There is one thing on my mind as I stare at the ceiling with an internal smile

No agenda

No schedule

No pressing issue

No stress

Just this Saturday morning

the sounds of island life and the lawnmowers going at full speed

Now, I long for that Saturday morning feeling

Peace, gratefulness and calm optimism for the day ahead.

Heaven must be lifetime of Saturday Mornings set to a symphony of lawnmowers